2019-20 Tainan First Senior High School Profile

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Community

Spanning 2191.65 square kilometres, the Greater Tainan School District serves the educational needs of the Greater Tainan Area and parts of the Greater Kaohsiung and Chiayi Areas. Located in one of the country's fastest growing areas, the district enjoys a diversified economic base. Currently, the district consists of 45 high schools, 78 middle schools and 209 elementary schools utilizing a 1–6, 7–9, 10–12 grade-level configuration. 

School

National Tainan First Senior High School (henceforth TNFSH) is a comprehensive three-year public high school accredited by the Ministry of Education of Taiwan, Republic of China. The school opened in the fall of 1922 and graduated its first senior class in the fall of 1925. 

TNFSH enrols 2,203 students in 57 classes in grades 10–12 in school year 2017. The one science class in each year is one of the only nine science classes in Taiwan that select 270 students out of 210,000 of the year. The science class is sponsored and regulated by the Ministry of Science and Technology and is taught a customised math and science curriculum in the first two years. The students then take college subjects such as Calculus, General Physics, General Chemistry, Biochemistry, Physical Chemistry, Electromagnetics, Local Flora in National Cheng Kung University, which is in partnership with TNFSH. 

The language-gifted class selects 30 students with language talent and the math and science-gifted class selects another 30 from the approximately 25,000 test takers in the Greater Tainan Area. 

Faculty

There are 141 full time, 18 part time teachers, 2 special education teachers and 35 administrators.  Among the full-time teachers, 4 hold a doctorate, 104 hold a master’s and 33 hold a bachelor’s degree. 5 of the part-time teachers hold a doctorate and 7 hold a master’s and 6 hold a bachelor’s degree. 1 of administrators holds a master’s and 28 hold a bachelor’s degree.

Curriculum 

The academic program is organised on an hour-by-hour schedule. Students take seven 50-minute classes daily Monday through Friday. Two semesters cover 20-21 weeks each. The following are the subjects offered, with the number of hours per week in the parentheses:

10^th grade [All streams]

Chinese (4), English (4), Selections from Confucius and Mencius (1), Mathematics (4), History (2), Geography (2), Civics and Society (2), Basic Physics (2), Basic Chemistry (2), Basic Biology (2), Basic Geoscience (2), Music (1), Fine Arts (1), Information Technology (2), Physical Education (2), National Defence (1), Career Planning (1), Multiple Electives (2)

11^th grade [STEM stream]

Chinese (4), English (4), Mathematics (4), History (2), History (2), Geography (2), Civic and Society (2), Basic Chemistry (2), Basic Biology (2), Basic Geoscience (2), Basic Physics (3), Music (1), Fine Arts (1), Home Economics (2), Technology in Life (2), Physical Education (2), Multiple Electives (2)

11^th grade [Social Sciences stream]

Chinese (4), English (4), Language Expression and Application (1), English Grammar (1), Mathematics (4), Applied Mathematics (1), History (2), Geography (2), Civil and Society (2), Basic Physics (2), Basic Chemistry (2), Basic Biology (2), Basic Geoscience (2), Music (1), Fine Arts (1), Home Economics (2), Technology in Life (2), Physical Education (2), Multiple Electives (2)

12^th grade [STEM stream]

Chinese (4), English (4), Language Expression and Application (1), Selections from Confucius and Mencius (1), English Reading and Writing (2), Mathematics A (4), Physics (5), Chemistry (3), Chemistry Experiment (1), Arts in Life (1), Health and Nursing (1), Physical Education (2), Multiple Elective (2)

12^th grade [STEM stream plus Biology]

Chinese (4), English (4), Selections from Confucius and Mencius (1), English Reading and Writing (1), Mathematics A (4), Geometry (1), Physics (4), Chemistry (3), Chemistry Experiment (1), Biology (4), Arts in Life (1), Health and Nursing (1), Physical Education (2), Multiple Electives (2)

12^th grade [Social Sciences stream]

Chinese (4), English (4), Language Expression and Application (1), Selections from Confucius and Mencius (1), English Writing (1), English Grammar (1), Mathematics B (3), Integrated Mathematics (3), History (3), Geography (3), Civil and Society (3), Arts in Life (1), Health and Nursing (1), Physical Education (2), Multiple Electives (2)

Enrichment Program of the Language-gifted Class 

The academic program of the language-class is enriched with a weekly two-hour English Seminar for the first four semesters with the four skills of English being taught through reading and writing, discussion and debate, acting and presentation. 

The courses offered for the four semesters cover short stories and novels, novels and drama, international news and Model United Nations (MUN). The students in the language gift-class act actively as press and delegates as well as student officers in the yearly MUN conference held during the winter vacation. They also attend other MUN conferences to polish skills in formal English use, lobbying, and debate with peers across the nation, including native speakers of English.

Enrichment Program of the Math-and Science-gifted Class

The curriculum of the math-and science-gifted class is enriched with a weekly four-hour Seminar on math, physics, chemistry, earth science and biology. The students choose the subject of their interest each school year and then either conduct a study or research theories and explore in-depth questions with the guidance of experience teachers. 

When opting to do a study, the student first explores topics of his interest and then discusses with the topic to narrow down a topic for study. Then he will go through steps such as forming questions, defining factors, designing the experiments, conducting the experiments, gathering data, coming up with results, drawing figures, quantification, qualification, forming models and presenting the project at the science fairs.

In the group that explore in-depth theories, the students prepare themselves for various competitions such as National Science Ability Competition and Olympiads of various subjects and scales. They not only study advanced theories but also practice and conduct experiments to facilitate the understanding of the theories.

The Customized Math and Science Curriculum of the Science Class
           Since the Science Class adopts a unique curriculum in collaboration with the neighbouring National Cheng Kung University in Math, physics, chemistry and biology, usually three-year courses for regular classes, the math and science courses offered for class 2019 are redesigned to span two years and are taught deeper and broader so that the students can take college courses of their choice at National Cheng Kung University during the third year, as shown below, with the number in the parentheses indicating the number of hours spent on that topic: 

Mathematics

10^th-1 (160): Real Numbers (20), Sequence and Series (20), Mathematical Induction (12), Polynomial Functions (20), Solving Inequalities and Equations (20), Exponential Functions (16), Logarithmic Functions (20), Permutation and Combination (20), Binomial Theorem (12).

10^th -2 (160): Probability (20), Expectations (12), Mean, Standard Deviation, and Data Standardization (12), Correlation Coefficient and Least Square Method (12), Trigonometry (20), Trigonometric functions (20), Complex Numbers and Polar Coordinates (20), Linear Equation and Linear Programming (16), Circle Equation (20).

11^th-1 (120): Plane Vectors (20), Parametric Equations (12), Determinants (12), Transfer Matrix (12), Linear Transformation (12), Linear Equations and Gaussian Elimination (12), Space Coordinates and Space Vector (12), Plane Equation and Spatial Linear Equation (16).

11^th-2 (120): Conic Section (20), Binomial Distribution (12), Sampling and Statistical Inference (16), Functions (12), Limits (20), Infinite Sequence (10), Derivatives (30).

Physics: Topics (215) + Lab (22) 

10th-1 (49): Introduction (2), Linear Motion (6), Two-Dimension Motion (6), Statics (8), Newton’s First and Second Law (8),  Newton’s Third Law and Conservation of Linear Momentum (8), Rotational, Circular, and Simple Harmonic Motions (10).

10th-2 (45)：Law of Universal Gravitation (6), Work and Energy (14), Collision and Conservation of Momentum (10), Properties of Fluid (10).

11th-1 (50): Thermal Physics (6), Kinetic Theory (8), Waves (8), Sound Waves (6), Geometrical Optics—Reflection (8), Geometrical Optics—Refraction (10), Physical Optics (10).

11th-2 (71): Electrostatics (10), Circuitry (8), Magnetic Effect of Electric Current (8), Electromagnetic Induction (6), Modern Physics (6), Atomic Physics (6), Modern Technologies (5), Basic Physics (14). 

Chemistry:

10th-1 (48): Basic Chemical Principles (3), Chemical Reactions and Stoichiometry (15), States of Matter and Properties of Gas (15), Solutions (6), Properties of Solutions (9)

10th-2 (39): Atomic Structure and Periodic Table of Elements (15), Chemical Bonds (12), Hydrocarbon (12)

11th-1 (41): Functional Groups in Organic Chemistry (18), Polymer (3), Reaction Rates (12), Chemical Equilibrium (18).

11th-2 (57): Acids, Bases and Salts (18), Oxidation and Reduction, Electrochemistry (15), Inorganic Compounds (24)

Biology:

10th-1(84): Properties of Life (8), Basic Structure and Function of Living Organisms (16), Energy and Maintaining the Living State (12), Plants: Form and Function (20), Plants: Transport of Substances (16), Plants: Growth and Development (12)

10th-2 (84): Animals: Form and Function (6), Animals: Circulation (10), Animals: Digestion and Absorption (14), Animals: Respiration (12) 

11th-1 (42): Animals: Excretion (12), Animals: The Nervous System and Internal Secretion (16), The Defense System of the Human Body (20), Animals: Reproduction (8), Inheritance (20), The Biological Science and Agriculture (8)

11th-2 (84): The Biological Science and Food (8), The Biological Science and Medicine (12), Evolution (20), Biological Diversity (12), Biology and the Environment (24), Conservation of Species (8)

Grading and Ranking

For content courses, grading involves both 40% of teacher evaluation based on assignments, quizzes and attendance plus objective assessment of three monthly exams, each of which accounts for 20% of the score. Thus, a final score is computed with the operation: 20% (Monthly exam) x 3 + 40% (teacher evaluation). 

For other courses such as music, art and military education, grading is mostly based on teacher evaluation of quizzes, performance or works. 

Rank

School policy eliminated class rank more than ten years ago.

Grade Point Average (GPA) Calculation

GPA is computed using the decimal points. Beginning with grade ten, all subjects, whether passed or failed, are included in the computation. A minimum of 160 credits is required for graduation. 

Grades are recorded on the transcript and GPA is computed in late January or early February and June.

Class of 2020

There will be 729 graduates in the Class of 2020, including one science class of 29 students, one math and science gifted class of 32 students and one language-gifted class of 19 students. The students admitted to TNFSH fall within the range of 93~99 percentile of the high school entrance exam in Taiwan.

Post High School Placement for the class of 2019

●      96% matriculated to 4-year colleges.

●      4% selected work, military service or to retake the college entrance exams the next year.

Record of TNFSH Award Winners of International Olympiads from the last ten years 

Awards and Distinctions, 2018-19

1. National Academic Ability Competition: Mathematics—one 1^st prize. Biology—one 3^rd prize. Earth Science—one 3^rd prize. Information Technology—two 3^rd prizes.
2. Fifty-ninth National Primary & High School Science Fair: one 2^nd prize (Botany), one Award of Excellence (Animal and Medical study).
3. Taiwan International Science Fair: one 3^rd prize (Mathematics), one 2^nd prize (Botany)
4. National Student Art Competition: one Award for Excellence (Calligraphy)
5. National High School English Spelling Bee: one third prizes. 
6. Music Competitions—Southern Taiwan Final: First prize—Chinese Orchestra, Harmonica Band, Male Choir. Award for Excellence – Wind Band, Male Choir, Harmonica Band

Distinguished Alumni

• Chang, George Tsan-hung (1936~), Politician, Ph. D. from Rice U. Professor of Chemical Engineering in Cooper Union. Mayor of Tainan.
• Chai Tong-rong (1935~), politician, MA from U. of Tennessee, Ph. D. from U. of Southern California. Professor of Political Science in City, University of New York. 
•  Chen Tsing-fang (1936), Painter, art historian, writer, and philosopher, founder of The T.F. Chen Cultural Center in New York City – a non-profit organization focusing on international cultural exchange and a Global New Renaissance, the first Asian to obtain a Ph.D. in Art History from the University of Paris (La Sorbonne), established the “Five-Dimensional Universal Culture” theory and initiated his “Neo-Iconography” art style.
• Guo, Wei-fan (1937~), Educator, professor, principal, minister of education and envoy. Ed. D. from Université de Paris.
• Huang, Da-chou (1936~), Politician, professor, Taipei Mayor. Ph. D. from Cornell U. 
• Huang, Yung-wu (1936~), Professor and writer. Two-time winner of National Literature and Arts Award. Ph. D. from NTNU.
• Lai, Ming-chao (1942~). President of Academia Sinica, University President. Ph.D., Molecular Biology, U of California, Berkeley (1973), Assistant Professor through Distinguished Professor, Dept of Microbiology and Dept. of Neurology, University of Southern California School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California (1973-present), Investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Institute (1990-2003), Distinguished Research Fellow, Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica (2003-present)
• Lee, Ang (1954~), Director. Two-time winner of the Academy Award and Internationale Filmfestspiele Berlin. Winner of British Academy Film Award and Golden Globe Awards. 
• Lee, Chen-Yuan (1915 ~2001), Pharmacologist and political activist. Famous for his research on snake venom. Recipient of the prestigious Redi Award from the International Society on Toxinology (IST), former president of the society. Former dean of the National Taiwan University College of Medicine.
• Lee, Ming-lang. (1936~). Biochemist, Professor, University principal, and Professor of Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. Ph. D. from Miami U. Pediatrician residence in Duke U. Hospital.
• Ng Chiau-tong (1932~2011), politician, activist of Taiwanese Independence Movement. MA from Tokyo Imperial U.
• Shih, Chin-tai. (1946~). Professor and President of ITRI. President of Institute for Information Industry, III. Ph. D. from Princeton U. 
• Su, Chun-hsiung (1935~), Professor and Judge of the Supreme Court of Taiwan. Ph. D. of Uni Freiburg.
• Hung-mao (1950), Politician, Professor, U. of Wisconsin, ROC representative of the United Kingdom. Minister of ForeignAffairs. Ph. D. from U. of Wisconsin.
• Wang Jin-pyng (1941~), Politician, Incumbent President of the Legislative Yuan since 1999, a leading figure of KMT).
• Chi-Huey Wong (1948~),Taiwanese-born American chemist and biochemist, professor of chemistry and chemical biology at The Scripps Research Institute; specialized in bioorganic and synthetic chemistry, especially in carbohydrate chemistry and chemical biology; member of the American Academy of Arts and Science in 1996, United States National Academy of Science in 2002 and an academician of Taiwan's Academia Sinica in 1994. Ph. D degree in Chemistry from Massachusetts Institute of Technology; taught at Texas A&M University. Pioneer in glycoscience research, developed the first enzymatic method for the large-scale synthesis of oligosaccharides and the first programmable automated synthesis of oligosaccharides. 
• Xie, Ming-you. Best Male Singer of Taiwanese, 28^th Golden Melody Award.

Colleges Attended by TNFSH Graduates from the Last Four Years

Overseas universities

Domestic universities